Good day friends and clients of Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Arkansas, Inc. (AAASWA). I am happy to inform you that AAASWA has moved to 600 Lelia Street. In December 2019, we were very fortunate to acquire for $50,000.00 the building and land located at 600 Lelia Street where the Magnolia Senior Center is located. Upon much consideration and prayer, the decision was made to relocate AAASWA to this location. As with all decisions at AAASWA, the health and safety of the senior population is the primary goal. With the additional space available at the new location, AAASWA’s goal is to offer services that will enrich the lives of the seniors of Magnolia and the surrounding area. Therefore, the Lelia Enrichment Complex was begun.
At the new location, the AAASWA offices are located in A-Hall; the Magnolia Senior Center is located in D-Hall; Veterans offices are in B-Hall; Community Center/meeting room is in C-Hall. E & F Halls are for future development.
This move will make AAASWA more accessible to clients that need our assistance and give our agency room to grow.
It is our plan to develop a walking track for seniors in F-Hall where seniors can exercise all year long without being concerned about the weather or fear of exercising or walking alone on the city streets where an accident could happen and they would have no assistance available.
Our plans for E-Hall consist of having a Tai-Chi studio where seniors can learn how to perform “gentle” exercise from a trained instructor. Also in E-Hall, we plan to have meeting rooms where “support” groups can meet and receive encouragement from trained facilitators as well as encouragement from one another.
As you are aware, Telemedicine is the new way for doctor’s visits due to the current pandemic. AAASWA’s goal is also to research and develop an area where Telemedicine can be made available to seniors who are unable to travel great distances to meet with their doctors and who do not have the necessary equipment to have this meeting in their homes.
Some of the goals above will depend on AAASWA applying for and receiving grants to help pay for the development of the services. Also, during the next few years, AAASWA may be having fundraisers to pay the cost of renovation. Please plan to participate in our fundraisers—this will give the community a way to become a part of caring for our seniors.
May each of you be blessed during this time of “social distancing” and quarantine.
Ruthie Langston, Executive Director, AAASWA
